China is participating in one of the world’s largest naval exercises for the first time in Hawaii. CCTV’s Nathan King reports.

China makes historic debut at RIMPAC exercises

China is participating in one of the world's largest naval exercises for the first time in Hawaii. CCTV's Nathan King reports.

The biannual Rim of the Pacific exercises are led by the United States, and involve 23 nations, around 25,000 personnel, 53 vessels and 200 aircraft. Four of the vessels and 1,110 officers and sailors will represent China.

China’s participation in the RIMPAC exercise is proof that the two countries have made a point of establishing stronger military relations. Despite differences over Chinese maritime claims in the East and South China Seas, this year’s RIMPAC is an active effort to increase trust and decrease the chances for naval misunderstandings.

The invitation of China to participate in these exercises by the U.S. is in part a way to dispel the notion that the exercises are in preparation to contain China’s rise in the eastern Pacific. This was the impact on China after the 2012 exercises, which included India, Taiwan and Russia, but not China. In addition, these exercises highlight a recognition of Beijing’s regional power by the U.S.

The exercises are also a chance for China to show the world the rapid modernization of its naval fleet, as well as its expertise in combating piracy and responding to humanitarian crises and disasters.

China will also be working closely with many Latin American countries during the month-long exercise. Other western Pacific countries will also be participating, such as China’s territorial rivals Japan and the Phillipines, along with Brunei who is also participating in the exercise for the first time.

CCTV’s Han Bin also has the latest from Beijing on what this means for U.S.-China relations. Han says this may reflect U.S. acknowledgement that China’s navy, which has been undergoing deep transformations to become a larger maritime power, can now operate in oceans across the globe.

Latest from Beijing on China at RIMPAC

CCTV's Han Bin also has the latest from Beijing on what this means for U.S.-China relations. Han says this may reflect U.S. acknowledgement that China's navy, which has been undergoing deep transformations to become a larger maritime power, can now operate in oceans across the globe.

Nathan King also spoke to CCTV’s Elaine Reyes about what China’s participation at RIMPAC means for the international sphere.

What China's participation at RIMPAC means

China is participating in Rim of the Pacific naval exercises for the first time. CCTV's Nathan King explains what this means on the international sphere.

Franz-Stefan Gady, a senior fellow at the East-West Institute, joined CCTV’s Mike Walter for further analysis on the exercises.

Franz-Stefan Gady on China's debut at RIMPAC

Franz-Stefan Gady, a senior fellow at the East-West Institute, joined CCTV's Mike Walter for further analysis on China's first time participating in the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific exercises.

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